Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2011, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1): 7-10.

• Original articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Correlation between disease activity and pemphigus-specific antibody subclasses in patients with pemphigus

  

  • Received:2010-05-31 Revised:2010-08-19 Online:2011-01-15 Published:2011-01-10
  • Contact: Jie ZHENG E-mail:Jie-zheng2001@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To assess the correlation between the subclasses of antibodies against desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and Dsg3 and disease activity in patients with pemphigus. Methods Sera were collected from 47 patients with pemphigus, and ELISA was performed to determine the titers and subclasses of antibodies against Dsg1 and Dsg3. The correlation of antibody titers and subclasses with disease activity was assessed. Results Clinical phenotype was associated with antibody profiles in these patients with pemphigus. Of 17 patients with mucocutaneous involvement, 14 (82.4%) had both anti-Dsg3 and anti-Dsg1 antibodies; of 16 patients with cutaneous involvement, 15 (93.7%) had anti-Dsg1 antibody, only 1 (6.3%) developed anti-Dsg3 antibody; of 6 patients with mucosal involvement, all (100%) had only anti-Dsg3 antibody. The serum levels of antibodies against Dsg1 and Dsg3 were increased, but not in parallel with the disease severity in these patients. Moreover, the subclasses of antibodies were correlated with disease severity. IgG4 subclass antibodies against Dsg1 and Dsg3 predominated in patients with pemphigus at active stage, whereas IgG1 subclass in those at remission stage. The serum levels (expressed as absorbance value) of IgG4 and IgG1 subclass antibodies were 1.92 ± 1.21 and 0.60 ± 0.61 respectively, with the ratio of IgG4 to IgG1 more than 1, in patients with anti-Dsg1 antibodies at active stage, 0.03 ± 0.02 and 0.22 ± 0.11 respectively with the ratio of IgG4 to IgG1 less than 1, in those at remission stage, 2.35 ± 2.17 and 1.84 ± 1.16 respectively with the ratio of IgG4 to IgG1 more than 1 in patients with anti-Dsg3 antibodies at active stage, 0.15 ± 0.16 and 1.05 ± 0.77 respectively with the ratio of IgG4 to IgG1 less than 1 in those at remission stage. Conclusions The subclasses of pemphigus-specific antibodies are closely correlated with the disease severity in patients with pemphigus. The detection of subclasses and titers of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies may aid in the diagnosis of and monitoring of disease severity in pemphigus.

Key words: antibody subclasses